Wildcats Knock Off No. 19 Evangel in Overtime on Saturday, 104-93

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – For the second consecutive game, the Baker men's basketball team was able to pick up a win in overtime, this time taking down No. 19 Evangel on Saturday afternoon, 104-93.

Baker had five players reach double figures in the game, including three players that had a least 20 points. Quentin Harvey led all scorers in the game with 26 points, while Noah Rigatuso and Jalen Patterson each added 20 points in the game. Harvey also led Baker with 11 rebounds, making his fifth double-double of the season.

A big key for Baker coming away with a win on Saturday was the fact that the Wildcats won the rebounding battle, 48-30. Of those 48 rebounds, Baker had 11 offensive rebounds which helped them to 17 second chance points, while Evangel had just two second chance points on the afternoon.

Despite multiple lead changes throughout the first half, neither team was able to grab a lead larger than three points in the first 10 minutes until a three-pointer by the Valor gave Evangel a 22-16 lead with 9:23 to play in the first half.

The Baker defense then buckled down, not giving up a field goal for the next four minutes as the Wildcats took a 25-24 lead. The lead once again changed hand multiple times in the final six minutes as Evangel took a 41-39 lead into halftime.

Baker came out with back-to-back buckets in the second half to take a 44-41 lead, but Evangel quickly regained the lead on the next two possessions. Just under 13 minutes to play in regulation, the Wildcats held onto a 59-53 lead and after stretching it to seven points on a three-from Harvey, Baker continued to add to their lead.

Leading by 12 points with just over seven minutes left, Evangel slowly fought their way back into striking distance. With 13 seconds left to go in regulation, the Wildcats lead 88-85, but a three-from Evangel tied the game at 88 and sent the game to overtime.

Patterson, Rigatuso and Harvey took over in the overtime period, scoring a combined 15 points on 6-of-8 shooting. Baker jumped out to a four-point lead early in the period, and eventually stretched their lead to eight points again. Baker then put the game away, defeating No. 19 Evangel, 104-93.

The Wildcats are now 16-5 on the season and 11-4 in Heart of America Conference play. They will be back in action on Wednesday, Feb. 1, when they host Park University inside the Collins Center at 7:30 p.m.

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